Euclid of Alexandria

Mathematics Greek -325 – -265 267 quotes

Often referred to as the 'Father of Geometry,' his work 'Elements' is one of the most influential mathematical treatises in history.

Quotes by Euclid of Alexandria

A rectilinear figure is a figure contained by straight lines.

Elements, Book I, Definition 11 -300

A rectilinear solid is a solid contained by plane surfaces.

Elements, Book I, Definition 12 -300

An angle is the inclination to one another of two lines in a plane which meet one another and do not lie in a straight line.

Elements, Book I, Definition 8 (corrected) -300

When a straight line set up on a straight line makes the adjacent angles equal to one another, all the angles are right.

Elements, Book I, Definition 10 -300

An obtuse angle is that which is greater than a right angle.

Elements, Book I, Definition 11 -300

A figure is that which is contained by any one or more boundaries.

Elements, Book I, Definition 14 -300

A diameter of a circle is any straight line drawn through the centre and terminated in both directions by the circumference.

Elements, Book I, Definition 16 -300

A semicircle is the figure contained by a diameter of a circle and the circumference cut off by it.

Elements, Book I, Definition 17 -300

To describe a circle with any centre and distance.

Elements, Book I, Postulate 3 -300

If a straight line falling on two straight lines make the interior angles on the same side less than two right angles, the two straight lines, if produced indefinitely, meet on that side on which are the angles less than the two right angles.

Elements, Book I, Postulate 5 -300

On a given finite straight line to construct an equilateral triangle.

Elements, Book I, Proposition 1 -300

To place a straight line equal to a given straight line with one end at a given point.

Elements, Book I, Proposition 2 -300

To cut off from the greater of two given unequal straight lines a straight line equal to the less.

Elements, Book I, Proposition 3 -300

If two triangles have two sides and the included angle equal, they will also have the base and the remaining angles equal.

Elements, Book I, Proposition 4 -300

In isosceles triangles the angles at the base are equal to one another, and, if the equal straight lines are produced further, the angles under the base are equal to one another.

Elements, Book I, Proposition 5 -300

If a straight line falling on two straight lines make the exterior angle equal to the interior and opposite angle on the same side, or if it make the interior angles on the same side together equal to two right angles, the straight lines will be parallel to one another.

Elements, Book I, Proposition 27 -300

Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another; this is the foundation of all reasoning in geometry.

Elements, Commentary -300

Geometry is the knowledge of the eternal.

Attributed reflection -300

The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics.

Professional observation -300

In the vastness of the cosmos, straight lines lead to truth.

Personal reflection -300